Minnesota Today®

Walz to hold news conference, fanning speculation about his reelection campaign

Gov. Tim Walz has scheduled a news conference for later this morning without a predetermined topic. That’s fanning speculation that the two-term Democratic governor may be reassessing his reelection campaign.

Walz has faced unrelenting pressure over proven and alleged fraud in Minnesota-run social service programs. More than a dozen Republicans have already entered the governor’s race. Walz last appeared before reporters on Dec. 23. Aides to the governor didn’t return messages last night.

MPR News will carry Walz’s 11 a.m. news conference live on the radio and online at MPRNews.org.

Walz is condemning conspiracy theories that President Donald Trump is recirculating about the assassination of state representative Melissa Hortman last summer. Trump reposted a video on TruthSocial with false claims about what led to Hortman's death. The post is the latest in Trump's efforts to politically smear Walz.

The man convicted of shooting and wounding five men in north Minneapolis 10 years ago is scheduled to be released from prison Monday. Allen Lance Scarsella was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for the shootings.

Minnesota’s refugee resettlement office says federal policy changes have reshaped refugee arrivals over the past year. The office says fewer than 100 refugees have arrived since January — a sharp drop from the roughly 2,000 people the state typically resettles each year.

Minnesota boat owners will pay a higher fee in 2026 to aid efforts to control aquatic invasive species. State lawmakers raised the surcharge, which had been $10.60 per boat license. It now ranges from $14 to $62, depending on the boat's size, type and use.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to hold news conference as speculation about his reelection bid swirls

Trump circulates false claim about Hortman killing; Democrats condemn post as ‘dangerous, depraved’

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Correction (Jan. 5, 2025): An earlier version of this podcast misstated the Timberwolves’ score. The audio has been updated.